Apple iPad 2 Release Date and Rumoured 128GB Storage

We wrote earlier on about the iPad 2 mock up being on display here at the CES 2011 in Las Vegas.

The presence of a highly realistic looking and convincing model has increased the already pretty busy rumour mill around this device and now there are two new whispers about this long awaited tablet.

First up, the iPad 2 which has been on display here has a sticker on the back that states that it has 128GB storage space, which is double the space available on the original iPad. Now, because this is a mock up model we can’t take anything on it for granted but why would Apple, or anyone else for that matter, go to the bother of putting on a label with an incorrect storage space? In, fact why would they go to the bother of putting one on with the correct storage space you might ask.

I can only imagine that it was placed there on purpose to get people talking even more and build up some more excitement about the new product. If this is case then it is unthinkable that it could be released with less than 128GB on it, as this would be a huge let down for everyone. This type of storage puts it onto a whole new level and would let it compete against other, more traditional notebooks.

The other rumour which we need to tackle here is about the iPad 2’s release date. A lot of people are now starting to move towards the idea that an announcement will be made later this month and that it will go on general sale around April time at the latest. Kevin Rose, Founder of Digg posted “I have it on good authority that Apple will be announcing the iPad 2 in the next “3-4 weeks”, possibly Tuesday February 1st.”

Now it is a question of sitting tight and waiting so if these rumours are confirmed before the CES is over. Will Apple give the show a huge send off with some welcome news or will we have to wait until February 1st or later?

12 Responses to Apple iPad 2 Release Date and Rumoured 128GB Storage

First: Apple would not print "iPad 2" on the back, it would just say" iPad". Look at every iPhone model ever made. They all just say "iPhone", leaving out the 3G, 3GS, and 4.

Second: Apple does not typically print storage capacity on the back of prototypes. The iPhone 4 prototype that Gizmodo got ahold of last April said "xxGB" on the back. That was in Spite of the fact that the storage capacities offered for the iPhone 4 ended up being the same as its predecessor.

Apple will not announce the second-generation iPad two months ahead of launch, that would just kill sales of the current iPad. The only reason they announced the iPad in January last year is so developers would have enough time to prepare their apps before launch. And to give themselves enough time to get FCC approval for the 3G version. Just like new iPhones, I would not expect them to announce it much more than three weeks before it is available for purchase, which would place the announcement sometime in March or April.

I can see a near-Retina Display, two cameras, a wider-range speaker, an A5 dual-core processor and a SD slot. However, I think it would be awkward holding up an iPad to take a picture. I don't know about a USB slot. Apple seems strict about its mobile products and what goes on them. A USB would open up a wide range of possibilities and would be more like a notebook. If Apple is trying to make its iPad 2 like a notebook, I can see a USB. If Apple isn't altering the physical capabilities other than the speaker and SD slot, I can't see a USB. I really hope there is one because the iPad would become my laptop basically.

ENOUGH ALREADY CAN WE PLEASE GET TO THE THIRD GEN OR FOURTH OR WHATEVER GEN IS NEEDED SO THEY STOP CHEATING US OUT OUR MONEY BY CONTROLLING THE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES FLOW ON THESE?

IT WOULD BE NO ISSUE WHATSOEVER TO MAKE IT RETINA AND DOUBLE CAM IT (FOR FACETIME PURPOSES) THROW THE 4G ON IT AND LET ME PUT 2 SETS OF HEADPHONES WITH A LINE INPUT AS WELL, THROW ON SOME KIND OF TRANSFER HOLE WETHER ITS A USB, USB2 MICRO USB, FIREWIRE I DONT CARE JUST LET ME TRANSFER MOVIES AND IMAGES FROM MY DIGITAL CAMERA DIRECTLY.

THEN WE ARE GOLDEN

and they could stop worrying about ugly damn competition that is frankly starting to look more and more tempting..